Volkswagen Defends Workforce Cuts and Cost-Saving Measures at Employee Assembly

VW leadership and union representatives address employees following a December agreement to cut 35,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 while avoiding plant closures and layoffs.

Volkswagen and IG Metall reached a December agreement to reduce 35,000 jobs in Germany by 2030, avoiding plant closures and forced layoffs.
The deal reinstates and extends job security guarantees until 2030, which had previously been revoked by VW.
Cost-saving measures include cuts to bonuses, holiday pay, and other allowances, with salary increases on hold and adjustments to align with lower industry tariffs by 2027.
Betriebsratschefin Daniela Cavallo acknowledged the painful concessions but emphasized the preservation of the company's internal tariff structure.
Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume attended the assembly but refrained from speaking, following criticism during prior meetings marked by employee protests.